Former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, who’s been practically invisible since losing the Republican U.S. Senate primary to Weld County DA Ken Buck in August, resurfaced today in the form of an e-mail to supporters that spells out her views on the mid-term elections and solicits donations to pay down campaign debt.

“Our U.S. Senate campaign was a major financial commitment and enterprise,” Norton wrote. “Ramping it up and, since I did not plan to lose, shutting it down as quickly as was required was an expensive proposition. That means we were left with some campaign bills of our own to pay. And we want to make it right with all the good men and women who worked so hard on our behalf.”

According to an FEC filing, as of Sept. 30 Norton’s campaign had debts of $472,907. The campaign returned more than $422,000 in donations which, presumably, were for the general election.

Norton’s fund-raising plea is embedded in a month-late analysis of the November election in which she hailed the elections of Republicans Cory Gardner and Scott Tipton to Congress and lamented a missed opportunity for Republicans in the Senate.

“Unfortunately, the astounding election results across the Nation which sent conservatives to the United States Senate were not replicated in Colorado. What was a golden opportunity to restore common sense conservative values to Colorado has been missed. (The bold was Norton’s emphasis)

As for the future, Norton — who was Colorado co-chair of John McCain’s 2008 presidential bid — said she plans “to devote a substantial effort to helping those who supported our cause to making sure that, in 2012, we elect conservative Republicans to the White House, the United States Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Here’s the text of the letter:

Dear Friend,

Now that the dust has settled in Colorado from the November 2 Election, I wanted to send you this note to express my deep appreciation to you for your support of my candidacy for the United States Senate.

It was my privilege to campaign all across Colorado for you and for:
— Significant cuts in government spending;
— Repeal of Obamacare;
— Blocking all tax increases and support for extension of the Bush tax cuts;
— Defense of our Nation’s security; and
– Reining in regulatory abuses such as job-killing cap and trade.

On November 2, the American people sent a clear message to Washington — we have had enough! Mike and I celebrated with the rest of Colorado and the Nation at the election of Cory Gardner and Scott Tipton to the United States House of Representatives. We were also thrilled that Republicans regained control of the Colorado House of Representatives. That bodes well for Colorado as a newly elected liberal governor prepares to succeed Colorado’s outgoing liberal governor.

Unfortunately, the astounding election results across the Nation which sent conservatives to the United States Senate were not replicated in Colorado. What was a golden opportunity to restore common sense conservative values to Colorado has been missed. Moreover, President Obama, liberals in the Congress, and Obama media allies are doing all they can to marginalize House and Senate Republican leaders. Worse yet, some Senate Republicans have helped President Obama’s policies of reckless spending, stifling regulations, endless debt, and ever-rising taxes by voting against eliminating earmarks.

All this means that there is more to do. There is more for me to do and there is more for you to do as well.

Our U.S. Senate campaign was a major financial commitment and enterprise. Ramping it up and, since I did not plan to lose, shutting it down as quickly as was required was an expensive proposition. That means we were left with some campaign bills of our own to pay. And we want to make it right with all the good men and women who worked so hard on our behalf.

You’ve done a lot for me already, but I’d be honored if you’d make one more contribution to our campaign debt. I was disappointed that I didn’t win the election, but I’m proud of the huge level of support for my candidacy. Your contribution of $100, $250 or $500 would be an enormous help in paying off our campaign debt. It would mean even more in helping me to continue the battle for the heart and soul of our Nation.

For the foreseeable future, I plan to devote a substantial effort to helping those who supported our cause to making sure that, in 2012, we elect conservative Republicans to the White House, the United States Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives. I hope you will continue to be with me in this effort. Thanks for your time and for any support you can provide.

Please also accept our best wishes for a blessed and merry Christmas.

With gratitude,

Jane E. Norton

P.S. Will you help my campaign reduce our debt so I can play a role in electing conservative Republicans to the White House, the United States Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012? Please follow this link to make a contribution of $100, $250, $500 or whatever you can spare today. Thank you.

Curious that Colorado voters are being asked to contribute to someone who has been “practically invisible” since losing her primary bid in order to help her “play a role in electing conservative Republicans” in future elections. Seems that she could have leveraged her visibility and resources this last cycle more effectively…

Meanwhile, a truly grassroots group that has been HIGHLY visible both during the elections and afterwards (although not in the pages of the Post, which continues to suppress the news, not report it) in promoting constitutionally limited, ethical government with integrity (Clear The Bench Colorado) is much more deserving of support (financial and otherwise).

Clear The Bench Colorado is also working to hold accountable a consortium of legal-establishment special-interest groups (including the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, the Colorado Bar Association, the Colorado Judicial Institute, and the League of Women Voters – Colorado) for THEIR violations of Colorado Campaign Finance Law (as reported in the Denver Post late on election day – a bit late to influence voters, despite the complaint having been filed a week earlier):http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_16502724

Given the option between contributing to a “practically invisible” has-been and a hard-working up & comer, what Colorado voter in their right mind wouldn’t make the “clear” choice?

Curious that Colorado voters are being asked to contribute to someone who has been “practically invisible” since losing her primary bid in order to help her “play a role in electing conservative Republicans” in future elections. Seems that she could have leveraged her visibility and resources this last cycle more effectively…

Meanwhile, a truly grassroots group that has been HIGHLY visible both during the elections and afterwards (although not in the pages of the Post, which continues to suppress the news, not report it) in promoting constitutionally limited, ethical government with integrity (Clear The Bench Colorado) is much more deserving of support (financial and otherwise).

Clear The Bench Colorado is also working to hold accountable a consortium of legal-establishment special-interest groups (including the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System, the Colorado Bar Association, the Colorado Judicial Institute, and the League of Women Voters – Colorado) for THEIR violations of Colorado Campaign Finance Law (as reported in the Denver Post late on election day – a bit late to influence voters, despite the complaint having been filed a week earlier):http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_16502724

Given the option between contributing to a “practically invisible” has-been and a hard-working up & comer, what Colorado voter in their right mind wouldn’t make the “clear” choice?

I would be happy to help out if Ms. Norton would promise me that my contribution would only go to retire the debt for honest, informative ads. I don’t want to help pay for any of those dirty, dishonest ads.

Anonymous

I would be happy to help out if Ms. Norton would promise me that my contribution would only go to retire the debt for honest, informative ads. I don’t want to help pay for any of those dirty, dishonest ads.

David Fostor

Mrs. Norton’s gender baiting, and dishonest smear campaign in the primary proved an effective strategy for the Bennett campaign in the general election where a slight majority of immoral slobs defeated Ken Buck. Thanks Jane. Because of you, DADT will probably pass the U.S. Senate by one vote and the homosexual scourge that is destroying this nation will advance even further. You’re a disgrace to Christians, Conservatives, and Women everywhere.

David Fostor

Mrs. Norton’s gender baiting, and dishonest smear campaign in the primary proved an effective strategy for the Bennett campaign in the general election where a slight majority of immoral slobs defeated Ken Buck. Thanks Jane. Because of you, DADT will probably pass the U.S. Senate by one vote and the homosexual scourge that is destroying this nation will advance even further. You’re a disgrace to Christians, Conservatives, and Women everywhere.

Joey Bunch has been a reporter for 28 years, including the last 12 at The Denver Post. For various newspapers he has covered the environment, water issues, politics, civil rights, sports and the casino industry.